Sunday, May 10, 2015

How to Replace Bottom Brackets



Brackets are useful as supportive garage door parts since they connect and/or secure other components. There are actually several brackets in each garage system but the most important ones are the bottom ones. They are considered vital because they help the movement of the cable, which helps the mission of the garage door springs so that the door can be moved. That makes bottom brackets dangerous, too. They have a small pin on their side part where the cable passes and connects with the spring system. It's no wonder why there are tampered resistant bottom fixtures (as the bottom brackets are often called) today. If you try to remove or adjust them, chances are that you will also release the tension of the springs - and then you will be in big trouble. 

For this reason, the replacement of the bottom fixtures is risky for potential do-it-yourselfers. If you value your safety, you should trust this type of tasks to Garage Door Repair Highland. Besides, replacing the bottom bracket does not only include removing the old one and installing the new one but removing the entire spring and cable system first. This is a hard and risky project on its own and that's why you should be prepared. Brackets need replacement when they are rusty or worn. They erode over the years and depending on the climatic conditions of each area but they can also be damaged if the garage door track is closely installed. It is often a good solution to align the tracks a few inches further so that grooves won't grow by the constant rubbing of the track on the bracket. It's also smart to have the springs, bottom garage door rollers and even cables replaced when you replace the brackets. It will save you time and hassle.  

Replacing bottom brackets involves releasing spring tension 

So, safety first! Disconnect the electric garage door opener and pull the release cord to disengage it. Keep the door shut but put c-clamps at the tracks above each roller. The first task is to release entirely the tension of the springs. Whether you have torsion or extension garage door springs, you will still have to release their tension entirely. These are the basic instructions for the release of torsion springs. Be careful of two things: you must have the right size winding bars and you must not stand right in the way of the winding cone. 

* Place the winding bar to the winding cone and hold it there until you release the setscrews

* Now the winding bar can move and you must turn it towards the door

* Put the second winding bar to the next cone and turn it a bit

* Remove the first winding bar and put it in the cone right next to the second winding bar and turn it a bit more 

* Continue in this manner till the spring is entire unwound – if you have two torsion springs, repeat the process with the other spring, too 

When you are sure the tension of the springs is entirely removed, it's time to remove the cables. You must release their tension by loosening the setscrews of the drum and slowly remove the cable off the drum. Remember that this end part is inserted in a small slot in the drum and must be removed. Then remove the screw from the jamb bracket. Remove the bottom bracket and then remove the loop of this end part of the cable. Now you will have to take reverse steps in order to install the new bracket. Insert the cable around the pin of the new bracket, secure the bottom fixture and put the cable back on the drum. You will have to repeat the exact same process of removing the cable and bracket on the other side before you install the spring back on. Once every part is back in place and the opener reconnected, you can test the movement of the door.

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